Memories can fuel philanthropy

Monday

Jun 24, 2013 at 10:17 AM

Elijah Hewett's descendents saved Masonboro Island from development

By Diane CorbettBetterLiving@StarNewsOnline.com

Masonboro Island has fascinated people for more than four centuries. The Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano mentioned Masonboro Island during his expedition for Francis I of France in 1542. Elijah Hewlett purchased Masonboro Island before the Civil War so that he’d have a place to fish. At his death on Jan. 1, 1919, Elijah Hewlett bequeathed Masonboro Island to his heirs. Seventy years later, Elijah’s descendents, with a fledgling non-profit organization, began the process to preserve Masonboro Island. In the 1980s, oceanfront development was becoming increasingly popular, and Masonboro Island was in the crosshairs. During a meeting to discuss Masonboro’s fate, Addison Hewlett, Elijah Hewlett’s grandson, reminisced: “Folks have gone over there for years. It’s been open to anyone. But if it was developed, you know how that would be.” (“The Vanishing Coast,” by Elizabeth Leland). In August 1983, Edith Friedberg launched the Society for Masonboro Island with the goal to acquire the island for public purposes and to maintain it in its undeveloped state. Within three years, the society swelled to more than 1,000 members and secured more than $900,000 in federal and state funds to purchase land parcels on Masonboro, according to a May 7, 1987 StarNews story.Addison Hewlett and Edith Friedberg achieved their goal. The State of North Carolina now owns more than 90 percent of the island and has designated Masonboro as a North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve. In 2003, the Society for Masonboro Island merged with the N.C. Coastal Land Trust. “It’s amazing to realize that a group made up mostly of volunteers succeeded in such a formidable goal – acquiring dozens of small tracts, and working with the state to fund them,” said executive director Camilla Herlevich. “And then having completed their goal, they reached consensus to give away their remaining assets to another organization. I am still full of admiration for these incredible conservation leaders in our community.”Then, a new wave of philanthropy washed ashore.Masonboro’s pristine beaches, close proximity to public boat ramps, and excessive numbers of visitors were destroying the island. To offset the possibility of the state implementing island access limitations, community leaders and citizens created several organizations to once again preserve Masonboro. The Surfrider Foundation has been protecting oceans, waves and beaches since 1984. For every $1 donated, 85 cents goes toward programs. The Cape Fear chapter developed a “Respect the Beach” education program that has two curriculums beachology and watershed works.FOR Masonboro Island works with the Friends of the Reserve, a non-profit organization that works to support the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve. FOR Masonboro Island hosts an annual fundraiser to help underwrite the Friends of the Reserve sea turtle program which monitors and protects sea turtle nests on Masonboro. Masonboro.org was formed in response to state officials suggesting the possibility of closing the island to the public. Membership is free; however, MSB.org also hosts an annual benefit that helps offset the costs of the volunteer-led Independence Day island clean-up. Contributions to N.C. Coastal Land Trust, Surfrider Foundation, FOR Masonboro Island and Masonboro.org ensure that future generations bask in Masonboro memories.

Diana Corbett is a philanthropic adviser and has worked in fund-raising for nonprofits as well as for-profit enterprises in the local community for nearly two decades. Her company, Charitable Gifts & Giving LLC, helps people decide how they want to give through estate planning and helps nonprofit organizations build relationships with donors.

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